Mayo County Council is pressing ahead with plans for Ireland's first green hydrogen production facility. 

The Council was given planning permission to establish the plant near Bellacorick which will use renewable energy to create 'clean' - or 'green' - hydrogen. 

The plant will consist of a 114-megawatt gas-fired peaking power plant, which will be capable of running on a mix of natural gas and hydrogen, comprising the 'electricity generating station'. 

Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon said the plant presents more opportunities to create a cleaner environment in Ireland.  

“You can convert excess energy through electrolysis into green hydrogen,” he said. “This hydrogen can be stored and can be used then to decarbonise our economy or difficult-to-decarbonise sectors. And there's an array of opportunities that that presents.” 

The Mayo deputy said the €150 million facility promises job creation and economic growth. 

“The granting of planning permission ushers in firstly, a new era for County Mayo paving the way for for this change into a renewable energy landscape,” he said.  

“[It] also ensures that Mayo aligns with Government policy to ensure that we can meet our climate ambitions.” 

Construction of the plant is expected to begin in 2024 and will be fully operational by 2026.  

The hydrogen plant will be located near the site of a former power station in Bellacorick, which was demolished in 2007.